Do you always find yourself having to deal with a burning sensation in your heart after eating a meal?
While many people associate this pain as emanating from the heart, it’s actually a misnomer. Heartburns happen when acid from your stomach reaches up to your esophagus and causes damage to its lining at about the level of the heart.
Allowing heartburn to persist without prompt treatment could lead to the development of ulcers, infections, and even cancer. Fortunately, heartburn medication is easily accessible as an over the counter drug, but because there are lots of options available, it can be difficult to make the right choice.
Get rid of that burning sensation and stop heartburn before it even happens by choosing the best heartburn medicine with help from this guide!
Top 10 Heartburn Medicines Chart
| Picture | Name | Delayed Release | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Zegerid OTC Capsules, 42-count | No | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 2. Prilosec OTC Frequent Heartburn Medicine and Acid Reducer Treatment with Omeprazole, 42 Tablets | Yes | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Gaviscon Antacid Extra Strength Chewable Tb Original 100 ct | No | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 4. Prevacid 24HR, 15 mg Caps 42-Count | Yes | $$$$ | 4.6 |
 | 5. Zantac 150 Maximum Strength Tablets, Cool Mint, 78 Count | No | $ | 4.6 |
 | 6. GoodSense Omeprazole Delayed Release, Acid Reducer Tablets 20 mg, 42 Count | Yes | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 7. Kirkland Signature Maximum Strength Acid Reducer Ranitidine 150mg, 95 Tablets | No | $$ | 4.6 |
 | 8. Nexium 24-Hour Delayed Release Heartburn Relief | Yes | $$$$ | 4.6 |
 | 9. Simply Right Maximum Strength Ranitidine Acid Reducer, 190 Count | Yes | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 10. Equate Maximum Strength Acid Reducer, Ranitidine Tablets USP, 150 mg 65 Tablets | Yes | $ | 4.5 |
Buying Information for Heartburn Medicine
Because there isn’t anything blocking the path between your esophagus and stomach, it’s easy for acid to push back upwards if you overload your system with the wrong food. For some people, heartburn happens as a one-time thing that needs immediate response. For others, it’s a chronic problem that requires maintenance medication.
Figuring out what your situation calls for and then choosing a medication based on that will help you land the right choice. Consider these three factors to determine which option would be the best heartburn medicine for you.
- Quick Acting or Delayed Release. Heartburn medication comes in two major forms – quick acting or delayed release. If for example, you consumed more coffee than your system can deal with, you’re likely to develop an acute form of heartburn. This will require a fast-acting immediate release medication for timely resolution of your current situation.
If you’ve already developed a condition that causes heartburn, such as acid reflux, it’s possible that you already know when to expect the next episode. By anticipating the problem, you can take in delayed release medication that will only provide results a few hours later. This in turn, will allow you to enjoy your meal without having to fear about the upcoming heartburn.
- Active Ingredient. It’s common to find different heartburn medicines labelled omeprazole, lansoprazole, famotidine, and ranitidine. These are all active ingredients that work to stop the production of acid in the stomach. In doing this, the medication makes it less likely for reflux to occur.
While all of these active ingredients aim to do the same thing, they work via different methods. Usually, those ending in –dine reduce acid production by working against histamine. Those ending in –zole work to stop the energy from being used to pump out more acid.
Some people react better to one type than another, so when choosing heartburn medicine, it might be necessary to do a little trial-and-error. Purchase a few of each first and then find out which one provides the best results. Then you can decide which to buy in bulk.
- Cost Efficiency. For people who plan to use heartburn medicine as a regular maintenance drug, it would be smart to consider the cost. Some medicine options can be up to 4 or 5 times the price of others. Because you might consume one tablet before every meal, it can be pricey to buy something that’s heavier on the wallet. Be sure to do the math and think of how much things will affect your budget in the long run to get the best value for your money.
Top 3 Best Heartburn Medicine Reviews
1. Zegerid OTC Capsules, 42-count
Its combination of effectiveness, affordability, and accessibility has made Zegrid OTC Capsules one of the best heartburn medicine options available today. Using omeprazole as its main active ingredient, this medication works to eliminate both acute ongoing heartburn cases and chronic acid reflux situations.
What many users truly appreciate about this product is the fact that it offers 24-hour relief against heartburn. This is particularly ideal because a person may experience heartburn again later in the day if they have an episode earlier in the morning.
If you have acid reflux, this product may also be a good choice. Offering 24-hour results and relief, you can take one tablet in the morning to prevent frequent heartburn. This works much better for those with chronic acid reflux problems because it eliminates the need to take one pill before each meal.
While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, Zegrid is the best heartburn medication because a single dose can provide relief and prevention for a whole day. This is what makes it both the best acid reflux medicine and an ideal solution for acute heartburn all in one.
2. Prilosec Heartburn Medicine and Acid Reducer
Another great option for those seeking a quick and effective remedy for heartburn is Prilosec OTC Frequent Heartburn Medicine. Using the same active ingredient as the top choice, this medication is another safe and reliable drug that can be used to prevent heartburn.
The only downside is that the formulation works on a delayed response mechanism. That means that if you’re going through a one-time heartburn experience, taking this option could mean that you’d have to wait some time to get relief. Often, Prilosec is used as maintenance medication for people who experience frequent and recurrent heartburn.
3. Gaviscon Antacid Extra Strength Chewable Tb
Gaviscon is one of the most popular brands when it comes to heartburn medication. Tried and tested by countless users, this particular heartburn medicine proves to be one of the most sought-after in the market.
The chewable tablet form makes it easy to take a dose even when you’re on the go. This makes it an ideal medication to have in your bag when you’re out and about. Another great quality is that it’s very effective, bringing down pain to a very low level compared to other medications that just make the sensation more tolerable. But because it’s not a delayed release formula, it’s not ideal for use with frequent heartburn.